But just as quickly as Celta equalised, Barca retook the lead, with Andres Iniesta's pass finding David Villa for the finish.

The leaders added a third goal just past the hour mark when Villa turned provider to play the ball through for Jordi Alba to score from close range.

Real Madrid moved into third place and handed Jose Mourinho his 100th win in charge of the club with a 4-0 victory over Real Zaragoza.

The reigning champions were ahead on 24 minutes as Roberto could only parry Raul Albiol's header from Luka Modric's corner back into the middle of the six-yard box, where Gonzalo Higuain was lurking to smash in his seventh goal of the season.

Two minutes later Madrid doubled their lead as again a decent first save from Roberto went unrewarded, as Angel Di Maria latched onto the rebound after his initial effort was parried to brilliantly stroke the ball into the roof of the net.

Zaragoza came close to a goal when Jose Mari's thundering effort crashed back off the crossbar before Helder Postiga was wrongly flagged offside.

Cristiano Ronaldo fired a free-kick off the bar and was denied from closer range by Roberto before Michael Essien made it three with a calm finish from Karim Benzema's pass with a minute left.

And Modric had the last word with a low drive from outside the area after Roberto had parried another powerful effort from Ronaldo.

Atletico were unable to keep pace with Barcelona after suffering defeat for the first time this campaign following a 2-0 reverse at Valencia.

The hosts, who have struggled for consistency so far this term, took the lead on 20 minutes following a stunning volley from Roberto Soldado.

Valencia captain Ricardo Costa was sent off for a second bookable offence with a minute to go, but in the final minute of stoppage-time Nelson Valdez rounded the keeper to wrap up the points.

Rayo Vallecano inflicted Malaga's first home defeat of the season with a 2-1 win thanks to two goals by Piti.

The Madrid side took the lead on 12 minutes when Leo turned Weligton inside the area and his driven effort, which may have been intended as a shot at goal, turned into the perfect cross for Piti to side-foot home.

Malaga equalised four minutes after half-time when slack defending from Vallecano allowed Martin Demichelis to head home a free-kick for his second goal of the season.

Vallecano's winner arrived on 61 minutes when skilful play from Leo saw him skip past two forlorn Malaga challenges before laying the ball off for Piti, who took a touch before prodding the ball into the bottom corner.